01-03-2025
Breastfeeding, second chances and student trustees: A look at new bills in the Nevada Legislature
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A mother-daughter team from Las Vegas had an important message to deliver Friday in Carson City. Breastfeeding is OK, and more people need to know about it.
Democratic Assem. Cecilia González, who represents District 16 in Clark County, had a special assistant as she presented a bill to strengthen Nevada's law that protects a mother's right to breastfeed her child.
González brought her 11½-month-old daughter to the front as she presented Assembly Bill 266 (AB266) to the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services. The bill adds education components to inform mothers of the benefits of breastfeeding and provides for counseling and other types of lactation support.
She said 60% of moms stop breastfeeding sooner than they would like due to lack of support and resources.
'A lot of people don't understand that you are also learning as well as your child,' González said.
The bill would strengthen legal protections by prohibiting places of public accommodation from discriminating against individuals because they are breastfeeding.
Other bills at the Nevada Legislature on Friday:
SECOND CHANCE: AB321 would create a 'Certificate of Second Chance' available to some offenders. When an inmate finishes serving their sentence, they can apply for the certificate through the court. The certificate would get rid of any disqualifications from obtaining a professional or occupational license based on criminal history. Anyone with a conviction involving violence, sex offenses or crimes against children would not be eligible. The bill also opens a path to serving as a wildland firefighter, giving people first dibs on jobs at the State Forestry Department. Notably, the bill is sponsored by first-term Democratic Assem. Jovan Jackson, who is a former felon. The bill is co-sponsored by Democratic Assem. Reuben D'Silva.
STUDENT TRUSTEES: AB 316 puts a student voice into the mix, creating a non-voting position on school boards across the state. The bill sets up a complicated nomination process that depends on the size of the school district. Each student trustee would serve for one year and have access to district business equal to any other trustee. The student would be required to attend at least 75% of the board's meetings. AB316 is sponsored by two Democrats, Assem. Duy Nguyen and Sen. Angela Taylor, who chairs the Senate Committee on Education.
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